10 Reasons Not to be a Philosopher?

The first reason not to do philosophy is that it can be fatal. This is no exaggeration, it is just a fact. The person we usually think of as the founder of the whole shebang, Socrates, was executed by Athens in 399 BC for practicing philosophy. He was, apparently, “corrupting the youth” by encouraging them to ask smart arse questions of their elders which they – as is often the case – found themselves illequipped to answer. Understandably this upset them. Very much. And so they took Drastic Action. So I warn you, smart arse questions can get you into serious trouble.